System for Transport of the User with an Elevator to a Destination, Retrofit Set and Method

Abstract

A system (10) is provided comprising a first communication unit (KE1), a second communication unit (KE2) and a third communication unit (KE3). The first communication unit (KE1) is mobile and can be carried by a user (B). The second communication unit (KE2) is configured to be installed in a stationary manner, preferably near an elevator shaft door (11). The third communication unit (KE3) is configured to be installed in a stationary manner at or in the elevator car (LK). By at least one of the communication units (KE1, KE2, KE3) at least one of a readiness request message and a destination message can be submitted to the control (14) of the elevator (L).

Claims

1. A system (10) for transport of a user (B) to a destination with an elevator (L), wherein the elevator (L) comprises a control (14), wherein the system (10) comprises: a first communication unit (KE1) configured to be carried by the user (B), at least one second communication unit (KE2) configured to be installed in a stationary manner, a third communication unit (KE3) configured to be installed at and/or in an elevator car (LK) such that the installed third communication unit (KE3) moves together with the elevator car (LK), wherein the first communication unit (KE1) is configured to communicate with the at least one second communication unit (KE2) in order to submit a readiness request message to the control (14) of the elevator (L) from the first communication unit (KE1) via the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and/or to communicate with the at least one second communication unit (KE2) in order to initiate the submission of a readiness request message to the control (14) of the elevator (L), to make the elevator (L) ready for the transport of the user (B), wherein the first communication unit (KE1) is configured to communicate with the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and/or with the third communication unit (KE3) in order to submit a destination message about the destination of the user (B) from the first communication unit (KE1) to the control (14) of the elevator (L) and/or to communicate with individual ones of the at least one second communication unit (KE2) or the third communication unit (KE3) in order to initiate the submission of a destination message about the destination of the user (B) to the control (14) of the elevator (L) for the transport of the user (B) to the destination by means of the elevator (L).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit (KE1) is configured to inform the at least one second communication unit (KE2) about the destination of the user (B), and wherein the at least one second communication unit (KE2) is configured to subsequently inform the third communication unit (KE3) about the destination.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the third communication unit (KE3) is configured to submit the destination to the control (14) of the elevator (L).

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system (10) is configured to determine the radio signal strength of radio signals emitted from the first communication unit (KE1) and/or the third communication unit (KE3) in order to determine whether the user (B) has moved the first communication unit (KE1) in the elevator car (LK).

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit is configured to be attached at or in a floor control panel (R) and/or wherein the third communication unit (KE3) is configured to be attached at or in a car control panel.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second communication unit (KE2) is configured to be attached at a support of a floor control panel (R) and/or wherein the third communication unit (KE3) is configured to be attached at a support of a car control panel (K).

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second communication unit (KE2) is integrated in a floor control panel (R) and/or wherein the third communication unit (KE3) is integrated in a car control panel (K).

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second communication unit (KE2) is in communication connection with the control (14) of the elevator (L) via a floor control panel (R) or wherein the at least one second communication unit (KE2) is in direct communication connection with the control (14) of the elevator (L) and/or wherein the third communication unit (KE3) is in communication connection with the control (14) of the elevator (L) via a car control panel (K) or wherein the third communication unit (KE3) is in direct communication connection with the control (14) of the elevator (L).

9. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein a floor control panel (R) of the elevator (L) comprises at least one operation element (BE) for control of the elevator (L), wherein when actuated by the user (B) of the elevator (L) the operation element (BE) submits an actuation signal to the control (14) of the elevator (L) via a connection device (VR), wherein the at least one second communication unit (KE2) is connected with the connection device (VR) in order to submit a respective actuation signal to the control (14) via the connection device (VR).

10. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the elevator car (LK) of the elevator (L) comprises a car control panel (K), wherein the car control panel (K) comprises at least one operation element (BE) for control of the elevator (L), wherein when actuated by the user (B) of the elevator (L) the operation element (BE) submits an actuation signal to the control (14) of the elevator (L) via a connection device (VK), wherein the third communication unit (KE3) is connected with the connection device (VK) in order to submit a respective actuation signal to the control (14) via the connection device (VK).

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to carry out a method (100) for transmission of data, particularly a readiness request message and/or a destination message between the first communication unit (KE1) carried by a user (B) and at least one second communication unit (KE2) and/or between the first communication unit (KE1) and the third communication unit (KE3), wherein an application (A) configured to run on the first communication unit (KE1) is provided for transmission of data between the first communication unit (KE1) and individual ones of the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and the third communication unit (KE3), the method comprising the steps: emitting (101) an indication radio signal (FS) by the first communication unit (KE1) while the application (A) is not running in a foreground on the first communication unit (KE1), receiving (102) the emitted indication radio signal (FS) by the at least one second communication unit (KE2) or the third communication unit (KE3), establishing (103) a connection between the first communication unit (KE1) and individual ones of the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and the third communication unit (KE3) following the receipt of the indication radio signal (F S), submitting (104) data from the first communication unit (KE1) to individual ones of the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and the third communication unit (KE3) and/or submitting (104) data from individual ones of the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and the third communication unit (KE3) to the first communication unit (KE1).

12. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to carry out a method (200, 200′) for transmission of data, particularly a readiness request message or a destination message between the first communication unit (KE1) and the at least one of the second communication unit (KE2) and the third communication unit (KE3), wherein an application (A) for transmission of data between the first communication unit (KE1) and the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and the third communication unit (KE3) is configured to be run on the first communication unit (KE1), the method comprising the following steps: emitting an indication radio signal (FS) by the at least one second communication unit (KE2) or emitting an indication radio signal (FS) by the third communication unit (KE3), receiving the emitted indication radio signal (FS) by the first communication unit (KE1) while the application does not run in a foreground on the first communication unit (KE1), transitioning (204) of the application (A) to a background or to the foreground as necessary, establishing a connection between the first communication unit (KE1) and individual ones of the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and the third communication unit (KE3), submitting data from the first communication unit (KE1) to individual ones of the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and third communication unit (KE3) and/or submitting data from the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and third communication unit (KE3) to the first communication unit (KE1).

13. The system (10) according to claim 12, wherein the system is configured to automatically establish the connection between the first communication unit (KE1) and individual ones of the at least one second communication unit (KE2) and the third communication unit (KE3) under the condition that the user (B) has provided specific data to be submitted before and wherein the specific data are submitted to the at least one second communication unit (KE2) or the third communication unit (KE3) via the established connection, while the application (A) remains in the background.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the system is configured such that a communication connection is established between the first communication unit (KE1) and the at least one second communication unit (KE2) or third communication unit (KE3), if the application (A) is transitioned to the foreground, wherein the user is enabled to input data in the first communication unit (KE1), wherein the input data are transmitted from the first communication unit (KE1) to the at least one second communication unit (KE2) or third communication unit (KE3).

15. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the first communication unit (KE1) sends indication radio signals (FS) after interruption of the communication connection.

16. A retrofit set for an elevator system for retrofit of the elevator system with a system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the retrofit set comprises at least one second communication unit (KE2) and at least one third communication unit (KE3).

17. The retrofit set according to claim 16, wherein the at least one second communication unit (KE2) is configured to be connected with a connection device (VR) that connects a floor control panel (R) and the control (14) of the elevator (L) in order to transmit the readiness request message from the floor control panel (R) to the control (14) via the connection device (VR) and/or wherein the third communication unit (KE3) is configured to be connected with a connection device (VK) that connects a car control panel (K) with the control (14) of the elevator (L) for transmission of the destination message from a car control panel (K) to the control (14) via the connection device (VR).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0119] Additional features and embodiments of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. The drawings show:

[0120] FIG. 1 an example of a floor control panel,

[0121] FIG. 2 an example of a car control panel,

[0122] FIG. 3 an elevator system comprising a floor control panel that is equipped with a second communication unit of an exemplary inventive system,

[0123] FIG. 4 the exemplary inventive system of FIG. 3 in another view that also illustrates a third communication unit of the inventive system with which a car control panel is equipped,

[0124] FIG. 5 a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method, wherein embodiments of the inventive system are configured to carry out the method,

[0125] FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c embodiments of a method, wherein embodiments of the inventive system are configured to carry out these methods,

[0126] FIG. 7 a detailed schematic view of communication units of exemplary inventive systems,

[0127] FIG. 8a an example of a floor control panel of an existing elevator system that is connected with the control of the elevator via a connection device,

[0128] FIG. 8b the floor control panel that is connected with the control of the elevator according to FIG. 8a after retrofit with a second communication unit of an exemplary inventive retrofit set,

[0129] FIG. 9a an example of a car control panel of an existing elevator system that is connected with a control of the elevator via a connection device,

[0130] FIG. 9b the car control panel that is connected with the control of the elevator according to FIG. 9a after retrofit with a second communication unit of an exemplary inventive retrofit set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0131] Embodiments of an inventive system 10 with a first communication unit KE1, a second communication unit KE2 and a third communication unit KE3 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Examples of a first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2 are illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0132] The exemplary system 10 comprises a first communication unit KE1 that is carried by a user B of the system 10. The first communication unit KE1 can be particularly a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, (smart) glasses, a bracelet, a mobile media player or another mobile device that can be carried by a user B. On the first communication unit KE1 an application A, briefly called App, is installed and able to be executed or run on the first communication unit. The first communication unit KE1 can be a device that is operated with an iOS or a watchOS or an Android or an Android Wear or a Wear OS or any other suitable operating system (OS) for mobile devices. The application A can be configured to run or cooperate with the respective operating system. On the first communication unit KE1 a destination, particularly a destination floor, can be stored by user B. In addition, it is possible that an identifier is stored on the first communication unit KE1 that may characterize an access authority of the user B, e.g. for private or non-public destinations.

[0133] The system 10 also comprises the second communication unit KE2 that is stationary and installed at or in the floor control panel R in proximity to an elevator shaft door 11 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The second communication unit KE2 can be connected according to the example with the floor control panel R and/or a wireless or wired connection device VR (compare also FIGS. 8a, 8b) between the floor control panel R and the control 14 of the elevator L or of the elevator system. Via the connection device VR the floor control panel R is able to submit commands to the control 14, e.g. a command to move the elevator car LK in the respective floor, on which the floor control panel R is arranged (call of the elevator) and/or a command to open the elevator shaft door 11 and the car door 13, if the elevator car LK has arrived on the floor. The control 14 is connected with a motor M to control the motor M, particularly for moving the elevator car LK.

[0134] In the elevator car LK a third communication unit KE3 is installed and particularly at or in the car control panel K and connected with the car control panel K. The third communication unit KE3 can be connected, for example, with the car control panel K and/or a wireless or wired connection device VK (compare also FIGS. 9a, 9b) between the car control panel K and the control 14 of the elevator L or the elevator system. Via this connection device VK the car control panel K can submit commands to the control 14, particularly a command to move the elevator car LK to the destination floor and/or a command to close the elevator shaft door 11 and the car door 13.

[0135] The first communication unit KE1, the second communication unit KE2 and the third communication unit KE3 are preferably configured to communicate via a wireless communication protocol, e.g. by means of Bluetooth technique and particularly by means of Bluetooth-Low-Energy technique. Communication means the sending of data by one communication unit KE1, KE2 or KE3 and the receipt of the data by another communication unit KE1, KE2 or KE3.

[0136] At least one of the communication units KE1, KE2 or KE3 is preferably configured to emit indication radio signals FS according to the Bluetooth-Low-Energy technique or standard. The indication radio signals FS are also called Advertisements. Peripheral and Central are particular roles in the Bluetooth-Low-Energy (BLE) technique or standard. The communication unit KE1, KE2, KE3 that sends Bluetooth-Low-Energy Advertisements operates in the peripheral role. The communication unit KE1, KE2, KE3 that scans for emitted BLE-Advertisements in the vicinity in order to receive them, operates in the central role. The first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2 are preferably configured to operate as Peripheral P and also as Central C (compare FIG. 4). In addition, the third communication unit KE3 can be configured to operate as Peripheral P and/or as Central C.

[0137] FIG. 3 illustrates a radio range FB about the second communication unit KE2. If the first communication unit KE1 is within the radio range FB, the first communication unit KE1 is able to receive indication radio signals FS, particularly BLE-Advertisements from the second communication unit KE2. Alternatively or additionally, the second communication unit KE2 is able to receive indication radio signals FS, particularly BLE-Advertisements from the first communication unit KE1. Alternatively or additionally, a communication connection that particularly corresponds to the BLE-standard can be established or maintained between the first and the second communication units KE1, KE2. The range of the radio signals defining the radio range FB can be, for example, between 10 to 50 meters. The range is larger than the range of a near field communication. The range can be preferably arbitrarily adjusted or configured.

[0138] A near range NB is defined within the radio range FB about the second communication unit KE2. The entering of the user into the near range NB of the second communication unit KE2 can be, e.g. determined by radio signal strength measurement. If the entering of the user in the near range NB was determined, the system 10 can initiate particular actions or operations.

[0139] In a first embodiment of the inventive system it is configured to carry out an exemplary inventive method 100 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The first communication unit KE1 carried by the user B emits indication radio signals FS, preferably BLE-Advertisements (step 101), while the application A is in the background and executes program code or while the application A is in the background and does not execute program code or while the application A is in a status (not running) in which the application A was transitioned after being terminated by the operating system in order to save energy after having been started by the user. The application A can be particularly an iOS application and can be accordingly in the status background, suspended or not running. Or the application A can be, e.g. an Android application or a watchOS application or an Android Wear application or a Wear OS application and can be in corresponding statuses. Thus, the App A particularly does not run in the foreground. The user input is at this moment not necessary. If the first communication unit KE1 sends BLE-Advertisements, it operates as Peripheral. The first communication unit KE1 is preferably configured to concurrently or quasi concurrently operate as Central C and to scan for BLE-Advertisements.

[0140] The indication radio signals, particularly the BLE-Advertisements, contain preferably no identifier for identification of the user B and/or the first communication unit KE1 and/or no data about the destination of the user B, particularly a destination floor.

[0141] The user B and thus the first communication unit KE1 approaches the second communication unit KE2 such that the first communication unit KE1 is in the radio range FB of the second communication unit KE2. As a result, the second communication unit KE2 can receive the indication radio signal FS submitted by the first communication unit KE1. The second communication unit KE2 is configured to scan for indication radio signals FS in order to receive them. The second communication unit KE2 thus operates as Central C in this scanning operation mode. The indication radio signal FS is received by the second communication unit KE2 in step 102. The indication radio signal FS from the first communication unit KE1 may not contain an identifier that indicates at least one of an access authority of the user B or data about the destination, particularly the destination floor. Depending on the embodiment of the first communication unit KE1 and/or the status of the App A, such an identifier may not be contained in the indication radio signal FS. However, the indication radio signal FS may contain an indicator that allows the second communication unit KE2 to determine whether the first communication unit KE1 is a device that is able to contain access authority information of the user B or that is able to have an App A installed that allows a preselection for the at least one next method step. For example, the indicator may be a hint to the operating system that operates the first communication unit KE1.

[0142] If the App A runs in the background (status: background or suspended) or was terminated by the operating system for energy saving reasons (status: not running), the first communication unit KE1 can preferably be configured to emit indication radio signals FS, particularly if the App A is in the status suspended or not running. The emission of indication radio signals can be initiated by the operating system of the first communication unit KE1. The App A can command the operating system OS, for example, to emit the indication radio signals FS prior to the termination of the App A by the operating system OS.

[0143] As necessary and under the condition that the second communication unit KE2 has determined that the first communication unit KE1 is a device that may contain an access authority of the user B or that may have an App A installed, the second communication unit KE2 tries to establish a communication connection, particularly BLE-connection to the first communication unit KE1. Because the App A on the first communication unit KE1 is running in the background or has been terminated by the operating system for energy-saving reasons, the connection will be automatically established (step 103). If necessary, the App A is transitioned into the condition in which the App A is running in the background and executing program code (status background) in order to establish a connection between the first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2 for data exchange by means of the App A. The transition to this status may be carried out from any other status, in which the App A can be switched, particularly the statuses suspended or not running.

[0144] Via the connection, data from the first communication unit KE1 are transmitted to the second communication unit KE2 (step 104). Via the connection it is also possible to transmit data from the second communication unit KE2 to the first communication unit KE1. The data transmission can particularly be carried out by accessing or requesting Bluetooth-Low-Energy values, particularly characteristics, that are stored in the Bluetooth stack of the first communication unit KE1. Such characteristics can be actively accessed or requested by the second communication unit KE2. For the user B a push message can be output on a display (not illustrated) of the first communication unit. The output of the push message can be additionally dependent on whether the user B has entered the near range NB about the second communication unit KE2. For example, a message can be transmitted to the first communication unit KE1 (e.g. smartphone) that an elevator L is in the vicinity.

[0145] The message can contain the name or any other identifier and/or an indication about the estimated distance. The distance can be determined, for example, by means of a Bluetooth-Low-Energy radio signal strength measurement. The estimation of the distance can be additionally dependent on whether the user B has entered the near range NB and about the second communication unit KE2.

[0146] Based on the transmitted data, the second communication unit KE2 can determine, for example, that the user B has the request to use the elevator L and/or can determine the destination, particularly the destination floor to which the user B desires to travel. For example, the user B may have configured the first communication unit KE1 or the App A respectively that an elevator L shall be automatically called, if the user B approaches a second communication unit KE2. Alternatively or additionally, the user B may have specified a desired destination or a destination floor, e.g. fourth floor, on the first communication unit KE1 or the App A. If the user B has the request to travel, the call of the elevator L to the floor in which the user B is located, is preferably automatically executed. Particularly, a user input in the first communication unit KE1 is not necessary between the point of time where the user B has approached the second communication unit KE2 such that it can receive Bluetooth Advertisements from the first communication unit KE1 until inclusively the call of the elevator L and/or until inclusively the transmission of the destination floor to the elevator control. It is particularly not necessary that the App A runs in the foreground mode. In a modification of the method the possibility for the user may be provided to decide whether the elevator L shall be called and to input the decision in the first communication unit KE1. For this the App A may be transitioned in the foreground mode.

[0147] As illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 5, the first communication unit KE1 may be configured to particularly automatically initiate the emission of BLE-Advertisements or other indication radio signals FS after the communication connection has been established between the first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2. This allows, e.g. one of the following: Establishing a communication connection between another second communication unit KE2 on another floor; Establishing a communication connection with the third communication unit KE3 in the elevator car LK; Determination of the distance between the first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2 and/or between the first communication unit KE1 and the third communication unit KE3. In order that the first communication unit KE1 is able to emit indication radio signals FS, the connection between the first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2 may potentially be terminated previously by the first communication unit KE1 or the connection may be interrupted by removing of the first communication unit KE1 out of the radio range FB (step 105, interruption of the connection). The resending can be initiated without user input, particularly if the App A operates in the background (status: background or suspended).

[0148] Alternatively or additionally, the exemplary inventive system 10 according to FIGS. 3 and 4 can be configured to carry out an exemplary method 200 according to FIGS. 6a, 6b and/or a method 200′ according to FIGS. 6a, 6c.

[0149] According to the flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 6a, the second communication unit KE2 sends indication radio signals FS (step 201). Particularly the indication radio signals FS can be BLE-Advertisements such that the second communication unit KE2 operates as Peripheral P. The indication radio signals FS can comprise a predefined identifier of the second communication unit KE2. The identifier, particularly a UUID, can be specified particularly by the provider of the system 10. The identifier can particularly correspond to a UUID according to the Bluetooth-Low-Energy technique or standard. For example, the UUID can have a length of 128 bit. Preferably the interval, in which indication radio signals FS are emitted, can be adjusted or configured.

[0150] An emitted indication radio signal FS is received by the first communication unit KE1 (step 202) while the application A is not running in the foreground mode. The application A can be particularly in the background status or in the suspended status or in the status not running. If the App A was terminated by the operating system to save energy (status: not running), the operating system OS can take over the function of the App A to scan for indication radio signals FS, particularly those having the predefined identifier. Particularly the App A is configured to inform the operating system OS of the first communication unit KE1 for which identifiers, particularly UUIDs, shall be searched during scanning for indication radio signals FS. The first communication unit KE1 is preferably in the row of the Central C according to the BLE-technique or standard and is thus configured to scan for Advertisements with the predefined identifier. The first communication unit KE1 is preferably configured to concurrently or quasi concurrently operate as Peripheral P, i.e. send out BLE-Advertisements.

[0151] If the user B together with the first communication unit KE1 enters the radio range FB, the first communication unit KE1 can receive the indication radio signal FS. If a predefined identifier is transmitted together with the indication radio signal FS received by the first communication unit KE1, the predefined identifier can be evaluated whether a connection shall be established with the second communication unit KE2 (step 203).

[0152] If the indication radio signal FS was received and a connection to the second communication unit KE2 has to be established and the App is still not in the background, but was terminated by the operating system (status not running), the application A is transitioned in the background status by the operating system OS (step 204). Initiated by the application A, the first communication unit KE1 can, e.g. output a message to the user B, particularly a push message. For example, a message can be submitted to the user B or the first communication unit respectively that the elevator L is in the proximity.

[0153] The message can contain the name of the elevator L and/or an indication about the estimated distance. The distance can, for example, be determined by a Bluetooth-Low-Energy radio signal strength measurement. The display of the message can be dependent from whether the user B has entered the near range NB about the second communication unit KE2.

[0154] The App A can now evaluate whether data are stored, particularly on the first communication unit KE1, e.g. by means of the App A, that have to be automatically transmitted to the second communication unit KE2. For example, App A may evaluate whether an automatic call of the elevator and/or an automatic submission of a destination floor is adjusted on or requested by the first communication unit KE1. Alternatively or additionally, the App A may determine whether the establishment of a connection between the first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2 shall be carried out only with acknowledgement of the user (user input) or automatically without user input (step 205).

[0155] If data are present, particularly on the first communication unit KE1 for automatic submission to the second communication unit KE2 (e.g. commands such as “call elevator automatically” or “transmit destination floor automatically to the second and/or third communication unit) a connection between the first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2 (compare FIG. 6b) is automatically established without the requirement of any user input while the App A is in the background (step 206).

[0156] Via the connection, data are transmitted to the second communication unit KE2 (step 207). For example, a command may be transmitted to the second communication unit KE2 that has to be submitted to the control of the elevator to provide the elevator car LK in this floor. Additionally or alternatively, the destination and particularly the destination floor can be submitted to the second communication unit KE2 via this connection. Alternatively or additionally, an identifier can be submitted to the second communication unit KE2 that characterizes the access authority of the user B for the elevator L and/or for the destination floor. These operations can be preferably respectively carried out while the App A is in the background mode without any need for user action.

[0157] It is preferred to interrupt the connection between the first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2 after the data transmission, as illustrated in FIG. 3b (step 208). The termination can be initiated by the first and/or second communication unit KE1, KE2. Alternatively, the interruption of the communication can occur by removing the first communication unit KE1 from the radio range FB of the second communication unit KE2 such that the connection cannot be maintained.

[0158] After interruption of the connection, the first communication unit KE1 can automatically change its role and can operate as Peripheral P according to the Bluetooth-Low-Energy technique or standard. As a result the first communication unit emits BLE-Advertisements as indication radio signals FS (step 209). As an example, this may be carried out in order to create a connection between another second communication unit KE2 on another floor and/or with the third communication unit KE3 in the elevator car LK and/or in order to determine the distance between the first communication unit KE1 on one side and at least one of the second communication unit KE2 and the third communication unit KE3 on the other side. The first communication unit KE1 can particularly establish a connection with another second communication unit or with the third communication unit as described with reference to FIG. 5. Preferably the first communication unit operates concurrently or quasi concurrently to the operation as Peripheral P also as Central C in order to scan for BLE-Advertisements.

[0159] If during the method 200′ according to FIG. 6a, it has been determined that a user input is required and/or that the automatic connection creation and/or the automatic call of the elevator L is not selected and/or no destination floor for automatic transition is stored, preferably no connection is established at first.

[0160] A push message can be output to the user B via the first communication unit KE1 (step 205a) in order to initiate the user B to transition the App A in the foreground.

[0161] If the user B opens the App A, it leaves the background mode or it is transitioned into the foreground status (step 206′) and the first communication unit KE1 can establish a connection with the second communication unit KE2 (step 207′). For this preferably the first communication unit KE1 operates as Central C and the second communication unit KE2 operates as Peripheral P.

[0162] Via the connection at least data, particularly a command to call the elevator L and/or the destination floor of the user B, can be submitted from the first communication unit KE1 to the second communication unit KE2. Preferably also data can be submitted from the second communication unit KE2 to the first communication unit KE1. Alternatively or additionally, an identifier may be submitted from the first communication unit KE1 to the second communication unit KE2 as confirmation for the access authority of the user B (step 208′). An option such as “call elevator” or possible destination floors can be displayed to the user B by means of the first communication unit KE1. If the user B inputs or confirms the command “call elevator” and/or inputs the destination or destination floor in the first communication unit the respective command to call the elevator L and/or the destination floor can be submitted to the second communication unit KE2 (step 208′). The second communication unit KE2 can transfer this command and/or this destination to the control of the elevator such that the elevator L is provided. In preferred embodiments only the elevator L is called via the second communication unit KE2 and the submission of the destination floor is carried out by a submission of the second communication unit KE2 to the third communication unit KE3 and/or by a submission of the first communication unit KE1 to the third communication unit KE3.

[0163] The connection between the first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2 can now be terminated (step 209′). This termination can be carried out actively by the second communication unit KE2 and/or the first communication unit KE1. Alternatively the interruption of the connection can occur by removing the first communication unit KE1 from the radio range FB of the second communication unit KE2 such that the connection can no longer be maintained.

[0164] After termination or interruption of the connection, the first communication unit KE1 can preferably automatically without the need for user input change the role and operate as Peripheral P according to the Bluetooth-Low-Energy technique or standard such that the first communication unit KE1 emits BLE-Advertisements as indication radio signals FS (step 210′). The first communication unit KE1 can particularly establish a connection with another second communication unit KE2′ or the third communication unit KE3 based on a method as described with reference to FIG. 5. Preferably the first communication unit KE1 operates concurrently or quasi concurrently to the operation as Peripheral P also as Central C in order to scan for BLE-Advertisements.

[0165] In embodiments of the system 10 or methods 100, 200, 200′ the elevator L can be called any time manually via operation of the floor control panel R. Embodiments are preferred that operate without the need for user input in the first communication unit KE1, if the first communication unit KE1 is located inside the radio range FB of the second communication unit KE2.

[0166] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the first communication unit KE1. The first communication unit comprises a processor unit PE and a radio module FM for sending and/or receiving of radio signals. The processor unit PE processes the commands of the operating system OS and/or the application A. The two blocks C and P in the App A illustrate the functions or roles of the first communication unit KE1 as Central C and as Peripheral P. The first communication unit KE1 is preferably configured to operate concurrently or quasi concurrently as Peripheral P and as Central C. The radio module FM can, for example, only contain a Bluetooth chip such that sending and receiving is not possible concurrently. In order to operate quasi concurrently, it is switched with high frequency between transmission and receipt. The first communication unit KE1 is configured to carry out the method according to FIG. 5 as well as a method according to FIGS. 6a to 6c by means of the App A. As illustrated by arrows between the block OS that illustrates the operating system OS and the radio module FM, the operating system OS may cause the radio module FM to emit indication radio signals FS, particularly BLE-Advertisements, even though the App A was terminated by the operating system OS for energy-saving reasons or if the App A is in the suspended status. In addition, the operating system OS may scan for emitted indication radio signals FS, particularly BLE-Advertisements, particularly those containing a predefined identifier (e.g. predefined UUID), even though the App A was terminated by the operating system OS for energy-saving reasons or in the suspended status. These functions of the operating system OS may be caused by the App A and the App A may also determine the operating system OS, the at least one predefined identifier for which the operating system OS has to scan. The second communication unit KE2 and the third communication unit KE3 can be configured in a similar manner as illustrated in FIG. 7 and can particularly operate as Central C as well as Peripheral P.

[0167] Preferably the connection is used that was established first. For example, if the connection that was established by the second communication unit KE2 operating as Central C to the first communication unit KE1 operating as Peripheral P, this communication is used subsequently. Otherwise if a connection is established first by the first communication unit KE1 operating as Central C to the second communication unit KE2 operating as Peripheral P, this communication is subsequently used. However, other modified embodiments are also possible. It is, for example, possible that the first communication unit KE1 receives an identification radio signal FS from the second communication unit KE2 during scanning, before the second communication unit KE2 is able to receive the indication radio signal FS from the first communication unit KE1, the connection may be established by the first communication unit KE1 as Central C (compare FIGS. 6a to 6c as an example). If the second communication unit KE2 receives the indication radio signal FS from the first communication unit KE1, prior to this the connection is established by the second communication unit KE2 as Central C (compare for example FIG. 5). In this manner a connection can be quickly established between the first communication unit KE1 and the second communication unit KE2, even though the application A on the first communication unit KE1 is in the background and does not execute program code or is in a status, in which it was terminated by the operating system OS for energy-saving reasons (status suspended or not running). In these statuses the operating system OS of the first communication unit KE1 takes over the function of scanning for indication radio signals FS, particularly with the identifier predefined by the provider of the system 10 and the emission of indication radio signals FS.

[0168] According to at least one of the methods explained above, only a readiness request message may be submitted from the first communication unit KE1 to the second communication unit KE2 or also the destination of the user B, particularly the destination floor, can be submitted to the second communication unit KE2. The readiness request message may comprise or consist of the command to move the elevator to the floor, where user B is located and/or the command to open the elevator shaft door and the car door. The data about the destination floor can be transmitted from the second communication unit KE2 to the third communication unit KE3. For example, this can be carried out by one of the methods described above for the automatic transmission of data. As an alternative, the destination message can be transmitted from the first communication unit KE1 to the third communication unit KE3, wherein the first communication unit KE1 can, e.g. automatically connect with the third communication unit KE3 corresponding to a method according to FIG. 5 or according to FIG. 6a, 6b. Alternatively, the user B may be required to input the destination in the first communication unit KE1 that can be subsequently transmitted from the first communication unit KE1 to the third communication unit KE3 corresponding to one of the methods according to FIGS. 6a, 6c.

[0169] In preferred embodiments a destination message is transmitted to the third communication unit KE3 or from the third communication unit KE3 to the control 14 of the elevator L, only under the condition that the user B carrying the first communication unit KE1 is located in the elevator car. For this determination the radio signal strength between the first communication unit KE1 and the third communication unit KE3 can be evaluated. Particularly the radio signal strength of radio signals emitted from the first communication unit KE1, e.g. indication radio signals FS, received by the third communication unit KE3, is evaluated by the third communication unit KE3. If the radio signal strength of radio signals received by the third communication unit KE3 is less than a predefined threshold, it can be determined that the distance between the first communication unit KE1 and the third communication unit KE3 is so small that the first communication unit KE1 is inside the elevator car. For the distance determination or the presence determination of the user B in the car the establishment of a connection between the first communication unit KE1 and the third communication unit KE3 that would allow a data transmission is not necessary and is preferably not carried out.

[0170] The retrofit set according to the invention for retrofit of an already installed elevator system in a building comprises at least a second communication unit KE2 that is assigned to the floor control panel R (compare for example FIG. 1) and at least one third communication unit KE3 that is assigned to the car control panel K (compare for example FIG. 2). In addition, preferably an App A is provided that a user B can install on the first communication unit KE1, e.g. a smartphone or another mobile device.

[0171] As it is exemplarily and schematically illustrated in FIG. 8a, the possibility to enter a readiness request (call of the elevator) and/or a destination request in the floor control panel R of the elevator system already existed in the elevator system installed in a building prior to the retrofit with the inventive retrofit set. The floor control panel R may have provided one or more operation elements BE, e.g. buttons, a touchscreen or a microphone for a voice input for this purpose. Between the operation elements BE and the control 14 of the elevator L a connection device VR already existed prior to the retrofit for submission of input readiness requests to the control 14 of the elevator.

[0172] The second communication unit KE2 of the inventive retrofit set is preferably configured to be connected with the floor control panel R and/or the connection device VR such that the readiness request input in the second communication unit KE2 via the first communication unit KE1 can be transmitted via the connection device VR of the existing elevator system to the control 14 of the elevator. FIG. 8b schematically illustrates the elevator system according to FIG. 8a that is retrofit with an exemplary second communication unit KE2 connected via the connection device VR with the control 14 in order to submit a control command, particularly the call of the elevator to the control 14.

[0173] As exemplarily and schematically illustrated in FIG. 9a, already before the retrofit with the inventive system the possibility existed in the elevator system installed in a building to enter a destination request (particularly destination floor) into the car control panel K. For this the car control panel K comprises one or more operation elements BE, e.g. buttons, a touchscreen or a microphone for voice input. Between the operation elements BE and the control 14 of the elevator a connection device VK was already present prior to the retrofit for submission of the input destination request to the control 14 of the elevator.

[0174] The second communication unit KE2 of the inventive retrofit set is preferably configured to be connected with the car control panel K and/or the connection device VK such that the destination request input in the third communication unit KE3 via the first communication unit KE1 and/or via the second communication unit KE2 can be transmitted to the control 14 of the elevator via the connection device VK of the existing elevator system. FIG. 9b schematically illustrates the elevator system according to FIG. 9a that is retrofit with an exemplary third communication unit KE3 that is connected with the control 14 via the connection device VK in order to submit a command and particularly a destination command to the control 14.

[0175] A system (10) is provided comprising a first communication unit (KE1), a second communication unit (KE2) and a third communication unit (KE3). The first communication unit (KE1) is mobile and can be carried by a user (B). The second communication unit (KE2) is configured to be installed in a stationary manner, preferably near an elevator shaft door (11). The third communication unit (KE3) is configured to be installed in a stationary manner at or in the elevator car (LK). By at least one of the communication units (KE1, KE2, KE3) at least one of a readiness request message and a destination message can be submitted to the control (14) of the elevator (L).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0176] 10 system [0177] 11 elevator shaft door [0178] 12 elevator shaft [0179] 13 car door [0180] 14 control [0181] L elevator [0182] LK elevator car [0183] B user [0184] R floor control panel [0185] K car control panel [0186] BE operation element [0187] VR connection device for the floor control panel [0188] VK connection device for the car control panel [0189] KE1 first communication unit [0190] KE2 second communication unit [0191] KE3 third communication unit [0192] FS indication radio signal [0193] FB radio range [0194] NB near range [0195] PE processor unit [0196] FM radio module [0197] C Central [0198] P Peripheral [0199] OS operating system [0200] A application (App) [0201] 100 method [0202] 101 step [0203] 102 step [0204] 103 step [0205] 104 step [0206] 105 step [0207] 202, 202′ method [0208] 201 step [0209] 202 step [0210] 203 step [0211] 204 step [0212] 205 step [0213] 205a step [0214] 206 step [0215] 207 step [0216] 208 step [0217] 209 step [0218] 206′ step [0219] 207′ step [0220] 208′ step [0221] 209′ step [0222] 210′ step